Traditional and Implant-Supported Dentures

Dr. Van O’Dell offers custom traditional and implant-supported dentures at his North Little Rock, AR, practice. If you are suffering because of a compromised smile, he can provide you with a set of dentures that fully restore your ability to chew, speak clearly, and smile with confidence.

Types of Dentures

Our traditional dentures are stable and comfortable, and may be recommended to patients who desire an affordable option to replace their missing teeth, or who may not have adequate bone density for implants. It is important to understand that traditional dentures can shift out of place while chewing and speaking, and will require periodic refinements as the jaw continues to change shape.

Implant-supported dentures require the placement of dental implants, which are titanium posts used to replace lost tooth roots. Dr. O'Dell places mini implants, which can be implanted and fitted with a denture on the same day. In some cases, he can modify your current denture to fit your dental implants. Implants not only provide superior stability, but will also prevent the jaw from shrinking and changing shape, a reaction that occurs in the prolonged absence of tooth roots. This means your implant-supported denture may never require any refinements.

Implant-supported dentures are anchored to dental implants, which are embedded in the jawbone.

Procedure for Mini Implant-supported Dentures

If Dr. O’Dell determines that you are a good candidate for mini implant-supported dentures, he will schedule an appointment in which to place the implants and restore them with a denture. Before surgery, he will administer a local anesthetic at the treatment site to maintain your comfort. He offers nitrous oxide and oral sedation if you feel anxious or have trouble sitting for long periods. Once you are comfortable, Dr. O’Dell will place the mini implants in the predetermined areas before attaching the dentures . You will be able to experience the benefits of your secure dentures immediately. Over the course of the next four to six months, your jaw will permanently fuse to the implants in a process called osseointegration.

Benefits of Dentures

Dentures offer many benefits. Aesthetically, dentures give a patient more confidence about his or her appearance. Dentures also provide support for a patient’s facial structure while preventing the remaining teeth from shifting. Traditional and implant-supported dentures can improve a patient’s speech, and help them to eat a greater variety of foods. Implant-supported dentures will not shift out of place, which allows wearers to eat any foods they choose, from beef jerky to crisp apples. Meanwhile, this option provides the peace of mind in knowing that the implants prevent further jaw atrophy.

If you want to receive dental implants, but are concerned about the cost, we can work with you to determine a solution that places this option comfortably within your budget.

Traditional dentures are a relatively inexpensive way to replace missing teeth, but may not always be comfortable or secure. Implant-supported dentures offer a better fit and many other important benefits. However, they are more expensive (insurance rarely covers implants) and require a surgical procedure. If you want to receive dental implants, but are concerned about the cost, we can work with you to determine a solution that places this option comfortably within your budget.